This would allow him to alter Sri Lanka’s constitution. Few details have been made public about what this might involve. He has, however, mentioned replacing the proportional voting system currently in place with a “first past the post” arrangement that would give a single seat to the most popular candidate in each district.

That would consolidate his power. But many Sri Lankans – particularly the Tamil minority, whose discrimination at the hands of the Sinhalese majority fueled the 26-year war with the Tamil Tigers – instead want more power devolved to the regions. They also want a dilution of presidential powers, which include appointing the prime minister and dissolving parliament.